UK Construction Journal - Issue 1 - April 2026 - Flipbook - Page 23
Widespread Disruption Causing
Delay... Or Is It?
by David Waddle, DipICArb FCIOB FAPM MCIArb AMICE
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Introduction
Many of us in the world of construction are aware of the term
‘disruption’ but what does it actually mean? In the UK, the SCL
Protocol1 describes disruption as “a disturbance, hinderance
or interruption to a Contractor’s normal working methods,
resulting in lower efficiency.”
And in the United States, the AACEI Recommended Practice
note provides a list of some common types of disruption
that can be experienced on engineering and construction
projects2. These include:
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Learning curve
Materials and equipment shortages
Overmanning
Poor morale
Out of sequence working
Site or work area restrictions
Site conditions
Untimely approvals or responses
This is by no means an exhaustive list and I am sure that you
will be able to come up with several more.
Absenteeism
Acceleration
Adverse weather
Availability of skilled labour
Changes and rework
Competition for trade labour
Labour turnover
Crowding / stacking of trades
Defective work
Dilution of supervision
Excessive overtime
Failure to coordinate trade contractors
Fatigue
Labour relations
Is there disruption to the works?
In 2023, a survey in the United States found that 45% of
contractors experienced a decline in productivity3. The survey
found that some of the top causes of productivity issues
included poor planning and communication, poor site logistics
management, poor quality drawings and specifications and
change order inefficiencies.
To be able to consider and quantify the effects of disruption it
is necessary to first determine that disruption has in fact taken
place or that the project is currently being disrupted.
Spotting disruption is easy, right?
UK CONSTRUCTION JOURNAL
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